College Football Playoff: 3 Random Thoughts on Penn State vs. SMU

In just a few days, Penn State Football will host their first-ever College Football Playoff Game with the SMU Mustangs coming into town.

With transfer season here and the NFL draft approaching, there are plenty of storylines in this matchup.

In reality, the Nittany Lions facing the Mustangs in the first year of a 12-team playoff is a storyline on its own. The Mustangs are atop their conference with an 8-0 record, much to the surprise of fans and analysts.

Much less surprising, Penn State sits in second in The Big Ten, tied with Indiana.

Fresh off a Big Ten championship defeat, questions about head coach James Franklin‘s ability to win big games has again been called into question. What does that mean moving forward? And what does Beau Pribula’s surprising announcement mean for the near future?

Let’s get to a few thoughts about the upcoming game and the impact it will have on the future of Penn State Football

Penn State is in an Awkward Position With Coach Franklin

It’s being said that Franklin can’t win big games.

First of all, is this a big game?

Sure, it’s a playoff game. But, it could be argued that adding an additional round to the playoffs takes some (okay, just a tiny bit) pressure off.

This also isn’t the NFL where success is incredibly difficult to sustain and the playoffs may not come again for a few years.

This is also a home game. There’s no denying that this is a big game, but the pressure may not be there in the same way which could be good for breaking out of the label placed on Franklin.

Regardless, the worst place a team can be in is in the area of “good, but never good enough”. These teams never win championships and they always think they are closer than they really are. Look, James Franklin’s win record is incredible. But if Penn State loses this game, do they start to really think about alternatives?

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End of the Tyler Warren and Abdul Carter Era

Penn State Football, Abdul Carter — Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images)

We are all counting on a win against SMU which will extend the season for the Nittany Lions. But, no matter the result, we are approaching the end of Abdul Carter‘s and Tyler Warren‘s Penn State careers.

They have both been incredible. They are fun to watch and they are difference makers. For now, let’s enjoy watching them play against the Mustangs, but how will they be replaced next year?

Who Backs Up Drew Allar?

Penn State Football, Drew Allar — Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images)

Speaking of being in awkward positions, the transfer portal sure puts a lot of teams in one.

None are in a much more awkward position than Penn State, with backup QB Beau Pribula transferring before the matchup against SMU. Having a trustworthy backup can make or break a championship run and to suddenly lose Pribula leaves the Nittany Lions without a proven QB behind Drew Allar.

Thrust into the second-string role is true freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer, who hasn’t even taken a collegiate snap.